OPINION: Can Saints fans’ patience hold?

Saints James Roby. Much rests on his shoulders as one of the few world class players currently plying their trade at Langtree Park

John Yates

Published:12:00Thursday 09 June 2016

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Patience is a virtue and Saints’ fans will need to show plenty in the present climate.

Spoiled rotten by the club’s success since the birth of summer rugby, they are finding it hard to come to terms with the club’s current inconsistent form - some of whom feel it is almost as catastrophic as losing a Wembley cup final to arch-rivals Wigan Warriors.

But no club has a divine right to rule the roost indefinitely as both Liverpool and latterly Manchester United have discovered in the round ball game.

Sporting success goes in cycles and using medical terminology Saints are not in the best of health at this moment in time.

Yet everything could so easily change before the end of the season in a physical and demanding game where avoiding injuries can be as much a key factor in picking up a piece of silverware as the form of players themselves.

Saints are currently lying fifth in the table - a position some of their rivals would gladly accept after 17 of the 23 league fixtures - and I include Huddersfield Giants and Leeds Rhinos is that scenario!

Whether Keiron Cunningham’s boys can build a launching pad to rocket them to the Old Trafford Grand Final is purely a matter of conjecture at this stage.

The signs are not too promising in mid-June but there is still a great deal of water to flow under the bridge between now and early October and the competition has been so topsy-turvy this year it would be foolhardy to rule out any club.

Cunningham continues to express great faith and confidence in the squad under his wings - and is to be commended for the way he feels.

He is hurting just as much as the supporters being a local lad himself but believes he is the right man to help the club turn the corner and rekindle past glories.

Whether that will be this season is anyone’s guess but with what is a relatively young squad (24 are under the age of 27) time is on Cunningham’s side and while it is almost inevitable one or two will not make the grade, the backbone of a future Saints’ side is taking shape.

But are the club’s demanding fans prepared to bite the bullet and show a little patience? That is the million dollar question.